Jade's voice remained calm. "You might be right that everything happening around Cinder of Dusk has something to do with the Scions of the Lord. You might even be right that Freebound needs your cooperation now more than ever."
She took a slow breath before continuing. "But if our relationship falls apart because you refuse to separate my mistake from my faction, then tell me honestly, Gideon… who benefits the most from that?"
He remained silent.
"The Scions," she answered for him. "They're trying to isolate you. If Cinder of Dusk and Freebound stop trusting each other, they've already won without lifting another sword."
Gideon frowned. She was right. If they had managed to locate Cinder of Dusk, then there was no reason to believe they didn't already know how closely the two factions worked together. Breaking that alliance would only make their job easier.
Jade watched him for several seconds before speaking again, more quietly this time.
